On Tuesday, nearly 40 Republican lawmakers unveiled a measure that could make Wisconsin the next constitutional carry state.
The measure would allow non-prohibited persons to carry concealed handguns without having to register or pay fees to the government, would end Wisconsin’s ban on Tasers, and would establish a license allowing parents taking children to and from school to have a firearm in their vehicle. (While federal law allows licensed gun owners this right, it is illegal under current state law.)
According to Rep. Mary Felzkowski, the bill would eliminate ambiguities and “gotcha” clauses in current law “which have tripped people up.” NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter described one: “… while they’re carrying openly, if they put a coat on or if they need to put their firearm in their purse, [they] instantly become a criminal.”
One opponent, Sen. Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, said, “Allowing anyone to carry a loaded, concealed firearm in public without any safety training or a simple background check is completely irresponsible.” She of course did not elaborate on how—if such laws are so irresponsible—the state has managed to have “permitless” open carry for years without incident.
